Abstract

This is the story of Anne (not her real name), an intensive care nurse who was admitted to intensive care on three occasions during which she experienced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and septic shock, and required endotracheal inturbation and artificial ventilation. Following a broadly hermeneutic-phenomenological approach the authors analyse her experiences, which were obtained by an in-depth open-ended interview. Data analysis revealed several major themes which are described in detail, using verbatim examples. The implications of Anne's experience for nursing practice are analysed in relation to the literature.